Plano TX vs Sandy Springs GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Plano
53.2%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 107,198 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 16.8% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 7.8% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 11.4% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $101,593 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,405 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.4% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $694,123 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 50.7% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.8% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Plano, TX | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 27.9 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Plano, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Plano, TXChicago, IL vs Plano, TXHouston, TX vs Plano, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Plano, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Plano, TX